Inventive approaches and innovative technologies have to be developed to call for every possible water resource. However credibility, sustainability, cost-effectiveness and success of these approaches / technologies could be only judged by future generations. This is while learning from past experiences will minimize the risk of failure of such innovations.

Water harvesting as well as management techniques probably date back to the history of civilizations arising in different parts of the world. Many civilizations rose alongside great rivers whereas a number dispersed by fade of water resources.  In between are those who learned to operate limited water resources in a sustainable manner; causing, at times, political empowerment with neighbors. If studied and properly disseminated, there is a wealth of traditional knowledge in management of water resources that can lessen common errors in policy, technical and managerial practices while enlightening valuable hints to those in seek of new approaches.

In 2005 and upon decision of UNESCO member states, the International Centre on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures (ICQHS) was established under the auspices of UNESCO in the ancient city of Yazd, Iran, home to many historic hydraulic systems including Qanats. ICQHS has the mission to fully understand the technical as well as social aspects of traditional water management techniques and to also promote capacity-building in these fields. ICQHS is determined to serve as a hub for scientists, experts, academicians and decision-makers involved in traditional water management to bring their knowledge and experience together by making available its resources and technical capacity.

To this end, this conference is another important step initiated by ICQHS to collect and document traditional knowledge available on water resources management from around the globe while providing a forum for presenting new views on the topic. Alongside the event, the eminent “International Qanat Club” will be launched using the opportunity of having senior experts in Qanats sciences. Those scientists honored to join the Qanats Club will be given a certificate and formally become a member of the Club by certificates endorsed by UNESCO and ICQHS. The members of the club will be long-term partners of ICQHS to further pursue its mandate in advancing the knowledge of Qanats and capacity-building for the Qanats know-how.